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Happy Birthday, Sweet Audrey

Today marks one year since the birth, short-life and death of Angie and Todd’s sweet Audrey. I have been thinking about what I would write on this day for weeks. And as I sit here right now, I still don’t know. I pray for the prompting of the holy spirit to give me the words.

I remember April 7 like it was yesterday. I remember waking up and thinking, today is Audrey’s birth. God what will you do today? I remember praying for a miracle. That she would live – even just for a little while. And she did – for more than two hours. I remember sitting at my desk at work, waiting for Audra to call with updates so I could update the blog. I remember Elias growing in my belly, kicking as I went into Angie’s room at the hospital to meet Audrey. I remember holding Audrey. I remember holding Angie in the days and weeks that followed.Today I went back and read those posts I wrote on Angie’s blog when Audrey was born. I am a doer, a planner and a communicator. It may seem trite, but it was one way I knew I could help.

It’s a year later and I still don’t know why God decided to take Audrey to heaven so soon.

I don’t understand why I am not going to a birthday party tonight with Audrey tasting frosting for the first time.

I don’t understand why Elias and Audrey didn’t get to grow up together… like Angie and I liked to dream about.

I don’t understand why my best friend has had to experience such loss.

But I do know this:

I know that in the loss of Audrey, many have found faith in God.

I know that God’s ways are not our ways.

I know that God is faithful.

I know that God gives and takes away.

I know that we are His children.

I know that prayer matters – even if we don’t receive the answer we want.

I know that one little baby’s story has made a profound impact on me – as wife, a mother and a friend.

And I know that April 7 will always be a day marked by the miracle of Audrey.

Please say a prayer for the Smiths today. Thank you for joining us in this journey. As someone who has walked alongside of them during the past year and a half since Audrey’s diagnosis, I have seen the body of Christ move in a beautiful way.

Here is the video Angie made as a tribute to Audrey. If you have not watched it, or if you have, please watch it today in remembrance of the baby who left and continues to leave an impact on thousands.

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Comments

OH JESSICA,THIS BRINGS BACK MEMORIES FOR ME ALSO.ON APRIL 9 MY BABY WILL HAVE BEEN GONE FOR 29 YEARS.IT STILL HURTS SO BAD AT TIME.PART OF ME DIED WITH HER JUST AS PART OF HER WILL LIVE ON WITH ME FOREVER!I KNOW I WILL SEE HER AGAIN ONE DAY.AUDREYS PARENTS WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS!BLESSINGS,FAYE

Jess, you are such a great friend to Angie, I know she loves you so much, and that she is so thankful for you. I am thankful for you. You have a heart of gold!Our prayers are with the Smith family, and also the very close friends of their family just like you.

What a wonderful tribute to a little life well lived. Thank you for honoring Audrey’s life today. I will say an extra prayer for the Smith’s as well as you today. When our friends hurt, we do too! Thank you for your transparency,your honesty and for being the knd of friend that I want to be to those I love.

In a few weeks it will be the first anniversary of our son’s death. He was 18. As a parent who lost a child, I will tell you that what you have written here was the perfect gift. You remembered. The world moves on but something in a parent’s heart keeps the memory and hope alive. To know that a friend has kept that same memory and maintains that same hope … has come alongside to join in the grief … demonstrates with grace and beauty the friendship you offer. God bless you for that.

I can’t imagine going through something like that. I remember reading about little Audrey’s death several months after it happened, and just hurting for that family, even though I don’t even know them. I think it makes all the difference for people to be surrounded by friends and family who are encouraging and supporting. What a blessing you are to Angie and Todd!